The newly renovated National Stadium in Abuja will today, be officially handed over to National Sports Commission by Julius Berger, the contractor of the renovation works.

CEOAFRICA sports desk gathered that the official handing over will be marked with a friendly match between the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria and Abuja-based Amakson Soccer Academy.

Speaking about the condition of the contract, Julius Ogunro, Special Assistant to the Sports Minister on Media and Strategy said irregular power failure was responsible for the deplorable condition of the pitch.

“"The contract to rehabilitate the Main Bowl pitch of the National Stadium Abuja was awarded to Julius Berger in January this year, after a disruption of power supply to the stadium affected the regular wetting of the pitch which made it to be overgrown by weed," he said.

The scope of works, according to Ogunro, included removal and replacement of the topsoil, planting the approved specie of grass well watered and nourished until roots are established, and maintenance of the pitch including watering and trimming of the grass.

Other side attractions to be featured at the handing over ceremony include performances by Wizkid, Ice Prince Zamani and White Nigerian.

Earlier in the week, the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi gave assurances that the Commission has a plan for the regular maintenance of the pitch and also stating that there will be regular activities at the stadium after the handover.